SMSC and British Values

What is SMSC and why is it important?

SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. This is achieved by embedding these core values and beliefs into all subjects, targeting specific issues in Pastoral time, and addressing international events of significance throughout the school year in assemblies and through projects.

At Oak Lodge School, SMSC encourages each student to:

be confident, independent, life-long learners who are aware of the communities around them and the roles they can play in them.

respect and reflect upon the contributions they and others make in a diverse society.

engage with all aspects of learning across the curriculum and beyond with curiosity, imagination and creativity.

make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their social, economic and emotional wellbeing.

explore, experience and engage in their own and others’ creativity across a range of arts and cultural activities.

develop the social skills and understanding needed to enable self-advocacy and advocacy for others.

develop an awareness of how to assure their rights and fulfil their responsibilities.

British Values – Where can they be found in Oak Lodge School?

Schools have a duty to teach British Values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of other faiths and beliefs. Teachers are required in the conduct section of their Standards, to uphold public trust in the profession by not undermining fundamental British Values. Oak Lodge expects all staff to model and teach these values. Our Equalities Policy makes clear our intention to provide the best education we can for all of our students regardless of race, faith, gender, age and sexual orientation.

At Oak Lodge our ethos is underpinned by our shared vision ‘Inspiring our community to Aspire, Believe and Achieve through excellence in education to lead happy, healthy and worthwhile lives.’ The word ‘community’ is key – we are all privileged to belong to the same community which is built on mutual respect, tolerance and understanding.

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Oak Lodge. Democracy is central to how we operate. Some examples of democracy in practice are:

School Council, 6th Form Council and Sports Council
The election of The School and 6th Form Council and Sports Council mirrors the British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. The School and Sports Council give our students a voice on matters relevant to school life. Proposals made by its members can, and do, have a real impact on the rest of the school. They develop an understanding of democratic principles and gain experience of gathering information, sharing views, running a committee and making decisions. The students are elected to the council through the vote of their peers and are supported in their meetings by a member of staff.

Oak Lodge Community Voice is actively soughtPupils, staff, parents and Governors views are frequently sought when evaluating school programmes. Their views help to re-examine and build on the existing opportunities offered by the school. See School Data Report.

Phoenix HouseHouse leadership opportunities

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and laws, whether they are those that govern our country or school are frequently referred to and reinforced in assemblies, at pastoral time and when necessary, to reflect on behaviour choices. Some examples of the rule of law in practice are:

Across all subjects we model and teach the necessity for rulesAt the start of each term an extended Pastoral session allows pupils to be taught or reflect on the value and reasons behind the rules which we enforce at Oak Lodge. These rules are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn and contribute in a safe environment.

Clear system of rewards and consequencesThe school’s Positive Behaviour System is followed by all staff and pupils with weekly Celebration assemblies focussing on the achievements of pupils that week. Pupils with the highest number of achievements will not only receive whole school praise but each will take home a postcard to their family to help them to share their success. There is a tiered consequence system to manage negative behaviour.

Community Police OfficerWe have close links with our Community Police Officer who regularly visits the school to speak with pupils.

PSHCEE and Emotions Curriculum and Whole School AssembliesThrough these, pupils develop an understanding of British Law and that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in Britain are subject to these laws. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us and the consequences when laws are broken.

Phoenix HouseHas a rewards and sanctions system which is agreed by students. This includes half termly reward for students who demonstrate a particular set of behaviours.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are taught that with rights come responsibilities. We educate our students to make informed choices based on the evaluation of facts. Some examples of individual liberty in practice are:

Internet and Social MediaAll pupils and staff have been taught through the Computer Science Curriculum, whole school assemblies and regular staff training the risks attached to using the internet and how they can keep themselves and others safe. All staff and pupils sign a contract to adhere to the Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP)

Tailored curriculum and provision that aims to meet their needs and aspirationsThrough the Curriculum Pathways, Enrichment Programme, Sensory Start and After School Club pupils are offered a wide range of activities supporting pupils to identify and develop their passions, abilities and entrepreneurship.

Pupil choice encourages our students to make their own decisions, where they have the appropriate level of maturityPupils are provided with termly ‘Enrichment’ Presentation assemblies where they are shown the range of enrichment activities they can follow that term. For both Sensory Start and Afters School Clubs pupils will decide which activity they will follow for the term. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment we provide boundaries for our pupils to make these choices safely. Pupils learn that if they do not like their choice they will to try to accept it, as it was their choice and that through this right to choice, comes responsibility.

Prefects and leadership programmesOak Lodge prefects are invaluable members of the school community. All Year 10 and 11 pupils are encouraged to demonstrate their skills for this role. They are then invited to apply and be interviewed in a similar way to applying for jobs in the world of work. Prefects enjoy taking the lead, being good role models, supporting others and taking on posts of responsibility. They work closely with staff helping to create a happy and harmonious school environment. All year 10 and 11 pupils have received a two day Leadership Training day and all participants are now involved in taking some responsibility for organising break and lunchtime games. Pupils are also given the opportunity to lead parts of Whole School Sports Competition.

Phoenix HouseStudents are able to make their own decisions about how Phoenix House is run including decoration, equipment, furniture and recruitment of staff.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Oak Lodge School is a microcosm of the global society that we all belong too. We are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs.

Learning Outside the Classroom and Cultural Programme enriches our pupils experiencesAll pupils will have the opportunity to be actively involved in their learning through real-life experiences beyond the classroom walls. As well as local opportunities, they will also have exposure to national cultural, religious, sporting, professional tutoring and community engagement experiences. The cultural curriculum is hooked onto a dynamic visit programme to many museums, theatre productions, and art and music events across London.

Local, National and Global LinksThroughout the academic year all our students have the opportunity to meet with pupils from different schools either locally and or nationally. In addition We also have an annual 6th Form visit to Auschwitz and links with Deaf schools in America and Sri Lanka

RE focus daysThroughout the academic year pupils will participate in whole day RE experiences. Pupils will actively examine the major faiths by either visiting different religious places of worship or having representatives of a faith visit the school.

School Dining Room

Phoenix HouseStudents have the opportunity to participate in termly cultural days where different cultures are looked at and outside speakers are invited to share their experiences. Menus and activities are created to support these experiences.

Radicalisation and Extremism

Oak Lodge School supports the Government’s PREVENT strategy which has been set up to protect students from becoming radicalised extremists. The Designated Safeguarding Officer and Residential Care Worker will both attend the local authority’s training session in February 2015 and along with the Emotions Programme, Mentoring Programme and in-house social worker they are vigilant in looking out for the early warning signs of radicalisation.

Any concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Ms Black in the first instance.